The Long Road to Love by Lynn Collum Read Free Book Online

Not a fit wife now.”
    Desperate, Giles tried to bluster his way past the baron’s agitation. “Balderdash! ‘Tis like Harriet said, we are all old friends. Why he quite thinks of her as his little sister.”
    “I cannot think that such a hardened rake would be immune to your sister’s beauty over the course of the long journey back from York, no matter the former relationship.”
    Giles felt certain the baron was correct, for Blackstone’s reputation was legend. “Then I say we go after them, for my stepsister’s own good. He is likely still chasing after her, what with all the coaches that leave London for York. We shall drive through the night and perchance reach her before Blackstone does.”
    Paden seemed to ponder this for a few minutes. As visions of the beautiful Miss Markham passed through his mind, he decided he’d waited for her too long to give up now. “Very well, but first we must dine.” He was willing to miss his sleep, but not his supper.
    Finch, Harriet and Giles issued a collective sigh of relief, all for different reasons. Finch because his master hadn’t flown into the boughs and the worst seemed to be over.
    Harriet because Giles hadn’t ordered her from his home, and the viscount because he was certain the baron would marry Angelica before the week was out.

*   *   *
     
    The sky had grown darkly ominous during the long afternoon of travel, but the earl had continued to drive south toward London. As Angel sat telling him of her life at Edenfield, he realized what an innocent she still was. If half of what she said was true, once Giles inherited the title he must have unleashed all his worst qualities. Somehow it seemed wrong to force her into an unwanted marriage.
    He was tempted to speak to Giles on her behalf, until he realized where his sentimental thoughts were leading him. By George! Had he taken leave of his senses to be thinking about involving himself in this chit’s affairs? After all, such marriages were common in the ton . She was nothing to him after all, was she? Innocent females were clearly dangerous to be around, if one always felt this need to protect them.
    Angelica interrupted his thoughts.
    “When shall we stop for the night?”
    Richard knew no respectable inn would allow the pair to put up since she had no maid or companion. They would have to drive straight through, which was probably best for the young lady’s reputation after all. He was rather too well known to risk stopping at one of the coaching inns, so he would choose some place small to dine and then they would again head south. Instead of telling Angel, he merely said, “Trumpington is the next village, shall we stop and have supper?”
    Angelica’s nerves tingled. She would now be able to put her plan to work. “I should like that.”
    Within a matter of minutes they tooled into the small village. To Angelica’s surprise and disappointment the earl chose the smaller of the two inns of Trumpington, a rather ancient half-timbered building with little sign of life save one aged ostler sitting by the open door.
    As the earl drew his curricle to a halt in front of the establishment, the old man stared like a moonling. Then, when it was clear the vehicle intended to remain there, he struggled to his feet and came to eye the pair. “Are ye certain ye want to stop at the Gray Dove, gov’ner? Quality mostly puts up at the Royal Arms at the other end of the village.”
    “Quite certain, indeed. See to the horses while the lady and I dine.”
    Angelica soon found herself in a small taproom filled with local farmers drinking ale. She stood beside the earl, facing the owner and his plump wife who eyed her with suspicion. Noting the dubious look the woman gave her, Angelica realized for the first time the impropriety of traveling with Richard unaccompanied by a female.
    The innkeeper, seeing an opportunity for making some quick blunt rather than the unseemly situation, stepped forward. “Sir, how may I